They slept with Kaylee's head nestled close and resting on his chest. He had his left arm looped underneath her, his hand brushing her upper arm. His smooth, angular face was well-composed even in sleep, turned to the right away from her peaceful expression, the sheets rucked up and covering their pressed bodies. Simon slept flat on his back and Kaylee on her side, one of his arms wrapped around her; holding her close. Kaylee always slept close to Simon's chest. She liked to catch the scent of antiseptic, lingering just beneath the lemon soap he used to shave. Often Simon brought his face close to Kaylee's and inhaled the wild rose perfume Inara had given her, mingled with the richness of engine oil caked beneath her nails at the end of each day.
When they woke, they didn't leave the bed but instead started talking in soft gentle tones to each other. They told stories and talked about the future, their voices never leaving the slow comfortable cadence of contented lovers. Simon shifted his head to face Kaylee, her head still resting on his chest and her hand on his washboard stomach, chin tilted up to receive a good-morning kiss. As they spoke his left hand absently stroked her shoulder and arm, her fingers played notes and painted invisible constellations on his abdomen, they smiled often and laughed softly in the way of two people completely enamored with one another, of two people falling deeply and irrevocably in love.
They were interrupted by a businesslike knocking on the door and the captain poking his head in. Simon raised his head awkwardly from the pillow to see Mal standing in the doorway.
"Doctor I need you t—"He caught sight of Kaylee, who grinned cheerfully.
"Mornin' Cap'n,"
"Uh…mornin' Kaylee…" a puzzled Mal replied.
His eyes snapped back to Simon. "Doctor, I need you down in the bay to identify some cargo."
"Will do Captain Reynolds," replied Simon. Kaylee giggled and turned inwards onto her stomach, using her arms to push herself up and stretch forward to plant a kiss on his mouth.
Mal coughed and awkwardly turned to leave, taking one last second to confusedly glance at Kaylee, then at Simon; who had wrapped both arms around Kaylee and pulled her back down as they continued kissing. Mal left hurriedly.
Soon afterwards Simon extracted himself from beneath Kaylee and out of bed to start pulling on his trousers. Kaylee sat up, watching, before getting out of bed herself to dress.
She was pulling on a top and had gotten her overalls over her legs, the straps hanging unbuckled at her waist when Mal swung his head back in.
"Uh, Kaylee"—He once again stole a bewildered look in Simon's direction—"I need you in the engine room. Both of you…hop to it."
"Okey-dokey, Cap'n," She chirped back. He left.
As Kaylee turned towards the door to exit, Simon reached and pulled her back in. He brought his hands to rest on her waist and leaned down. As they kissed her hands twined together at the base of his neck. They broke apart softly and joined hands as they exited the shuttle together.